Bath and friction brush



April 11, 1939. E. R. POIRIER BATH AND FRICTION BRUSH Filed Aug. 16, 1937 INVENTOR. EZDMUN R. PEIIRIEIR ATTORNEY.

latented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATS ATET ()FFIQE 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in bath and friction devices and has particular reference to a flexible brush that may be utilized in invigorating the skin in a dry state or a wet state as desired by the user.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a flexible brush of the character set forth that may be utilized in invigorating the skin especially in taking a bath and one that is sanitary and includes rotatable brushes in contradistinction to the fixed brushes shown in my original patent above described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brush of this character that includes a flexible body, rotatable brushes, and flexible straps enabling the user to draw the same about and over the back of the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brush of the character set forth that is made of flexible material, such as rubber, and one that may be boiled to sterilize the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sanitary flexible brush of this character that includes a handheld strap for gripping the brush with the hand if desired without the necessity of using the flexible straps.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a brush of this character that may be easily molded, that will be economical to manufacture, and that will be most eflicient in action and that may be quickly and easily sterilized after use.

Referring to the drawing generally:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved brush showing the flexible body section, the rotary brushes mounted therein and the hand-hold for using the device if desired with the hands;

Figure 2 is a plan, view of the device showing the general configuration thereof and the spaced rotary brushes mounted in special bearings which bearings are vulcanized in the body section; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating one of the rotary brushes and its mounting in the body of the brush.

To my knowledge fixed bristles have always been employed in brushes of this character, but such brushes are not practical nor are they sanitary nor is it possible to obtain the proper functional contact with the skin surface with such a brush, hence the rotary principle of the brush in combination with flexibility has been utilized in the present construction.

In view of these facts and as shown in the preferred form of the drawing I have devised a flexible brush body 5 of flexible material such a rubber having a plurality of rotatable brushes 6, I, 8 and 9 mounted in slots 10 and I I formed therein that is, transversely of said body section 5.

These rotary brushes are carried by shafts l2 and may be of the twisted in wire character and free to rotate in bearings formed in the flexible body 5 as hereinafter set forth.

The body section 5 is preferably vulcanized and in this vulcanizing process resilient cups l3 are formed in the rubber or resilient body section as particularly shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a brass or other form of bearing M is placed in these cups to carry the ends of the shafts or spindles l2 of the rotary brushes.

Flexible straps it are employed and these straps may be attached to loops or hooks IT formed in the ends of the body 5, as clearly disclosed in Figure 2.

A hand-hold loop I 8 is also provided so that the brush may be manipulated if desired by the hand of the user.

It will, therefore, be apparent that I have produced a flexible device having rotatable brushes arranged in a flexible body section and a utility brush that may be employed either as a hand brush or may be drawn in a backand-forth cross motion over the body of the user.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 0 of the United States the following:

1. In a bath and friction brush of the class described, a flexible and vulcanized body section comprising a frame and having rotary brushing members positioned therein, and said frame having cups and bearings vulcanized therein to hold the ends of the spindles of said rotary brushes.

2. A bath and friction brush of the class described including a flexible body section preferably of vulcanized rubber comprising a frame and having separate and distinct openings formed therein and openings vulcanized in the inner edges thereof, and rotary brush members having spindles positioned in said openings and capable of rotating as the flexible body section is drawn over the body of the user, and flexible strap sections secured to opposite ends of said body section.

EDMON R, POIRIER. 

